Braking and steering mechanism



t 3 1927 l A. Y. DopGE. l BEARING 1mb sTEERiNG MEGHANISM Filed May 7, 1925 1 11111111. A uflllzlrlr/l 'Jn Yan'orj 0o/EL 00065 n. l .WT

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Sept. 13, 1927.

-z Av. Y. DODGE BRAKING AND STEERING MECHANISM Filed May VQ 1925 2 sneets-sneet lNvEmoR' Ania kf @m55 rbatented Sept. 13, 1927. y

UNITED STA .ADIEIJ Y. DODGE, OF SOUTH BEND,

INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO BENDIX BRAKE COMPANY,

F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BRAKING AIU) STEERING MECHANISM.

Application lfiled May 7,

rhis invention relates to Vehicles and is illustrated as embodied in the front axle'assembly ofan automobile chassis. An ob]ect of the invention is to simplify the braking and steering connections by utilizing parts ot' the braking mechanism as parts of the .steering connections.

Having this object in view, the invention contemplates mounting the usual steering arm by bolting it to the backing plate of the brake, thus avoiding the necessity of providing special means on the knuckle `for mounting the steering arm. Preferably, also, the 'two tie-rod'arms for the steering vknuckles are secured to the backing plate, and in one desirable`v arrangement the steering arm is connected to the backing plate on its knuckle by the same means which secures'the corresponding tie-rod arm. As a further simpliication, I prefer to secure the steering arm in such a manner as to reinforce the backing plate by securing it at the outer margin ofl the plate, and by fastening it at its inner end by one of the bolts or other fasteners which secure the backing plate to the knuckle. I may, if desired, secure it to the backing plate by a fastenin member which also serves as an anchor ger one ormoreor the brake shoes. Preferably this last fastening is also utilized in mounting the tie-rod arm on the backing plate.

Another feature of the invention relates to y stamping the backing plate from sheet metal in such a manner as to provide axially eX- tending flanges embracing and secured to a part of the knuckle.

Other objects and features of the invention, including various novel combinations of parts and vdesirable particular constructions, will be'apparent from the following description of one illustrative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through an automobile chassis just behind the front axle and showing the above described connections in rear elevation;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking outwardly at the left-hand backing plate with its steerin arm and tie-rod arm removed from the ax e;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section substaniaas. serial No. 28,589.

tially on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, showing the mounting of the steering arm;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, showing one form of backing plate; Figure 5 is a View corresponding to Figure 4; but showing adiiierent form of backing plate; and

Figure 6 is a View corresponding to Fi ure 2, but showing a different mounting o the steering arm.

In the arrangement selected for illustration, tlie invention is embodied in a chassis including a frame 10 supported by the usual springs 12 on a rear axle (not shown), and on a front axle 14 having knuckles 16 swiv.- elled at its opposite ends by the usual king pins. Each of the knuckles is shown as carrying a brake, including a drum 18 rotating `with the wheel, and within which are a ranged one or more brake shoes anchored on a novel stationary backing plate 20.

. According to one feature of the invention, a steering arm 22 adapted to be connected to the usual steering mechanism, to be operated by the steering wheel7 is fastened to the knuckle 16 and the backing plate 2O by one,

of the bolts or other fastenings 24 used to secure the backing plate 20 to a iiange of the knuckle 16, and also by a fastening 26 extended through the backing plate to form an anchor 28 for one or more of `the brake shoes.

Preferably the astenin 26, together with a separate fastener 30, a so fastens to the backing plate one of ther arms 32 pivotally connected as, for example, by a ball and ,socket joint. of any desired type, with the lusual cross tie-ro 34. Since there is no steering 'arm 22 on the right-hand side of the vehicle, theright-hand arm 32' is fastened to the backing late 2O as shown, except that fastening 26 1s shorter by the thickness of the steering arm. It will be seen that this provides a very inexpensive but strong assembly.

Preferably the backing plate 20 is stamped from heavy sheet metal and has a single flange 36 (Figure 4) or two flanges 38 (Figure 5) arranged to embrace the Vertical part of the knuckle 16, as shown in Figure 3. The bending out of these flanges 36 or 38 al@ ^@'@:s im i'wn'f, klm inecwuzz wcmngunr @mi pmt of 'die when he mening is only large gh im 'mm *die singly@ 36, :l sepa k'.imffn ging 1U may be provi ed on the oppmut eine us Shown in Figure 3.

thf; m'wgamem of Figure [he tiewd mm 82 is held by its fastening?.F 3G, and by a astemn 125 sfing also als a, make zur @hmz whe t xe Ying.; :um ll curves 0r Waraly nrsxmd m man .fnr'dfiy, und is held by iwu @if the asienngs 2liof the bucking mi@ ilustmtw embodiments of the in- "rffuton have been described in detai, ib is mut .my iumntion izo Eiwit its: Scope to dass@ pmhcum @mbf'fdin'ients 01' otherwise than by thm twmf-J of h@ appended caims.

1%. bucking pim@ im' :L brake having u Mmmm gemmy rectangular' upenin fitting @ver par?, of a knuckle and formed y bending cm1; :m inega flan f at righi; Eagles 'im fit against the knus le.

A backing plate for a, brake having a generally lectnngum- @paling tting over pari; 0f u knuckle and omed by hendng out n. pair of integral anges ai: right. angles tno embrace and fit against; tlm knuckle.

3. ln combination with a swiveed 51ml ing knuckle, a brake backing plate .se/cured thereto, a steel'nv mn attached to one point. of she backing pate, and n, brake anchor curing the steering arm to the bucklng pinta at a point removed from the first meutmncd point.

In estimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

ADIEL Y. DODGE. 

